Riverside Sheriff Feed

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Alfredo Medina

File # MV222870312

Details:

On October 14, 2022, deputies from the Moreno Valley Station responded to a residence in the 13000 block of Day Street in the city of Moreno Valley after receiving multiple calls of hearing a sound similar to an explosion. Deputies arrived and found three juveniles with varying degrees of injuries consistent with those caused by fireworks. Deputies rendered first aid while waiting for paramedics to arrive.

Once paramedics from CalFire and American Medical Response arrived, all three juveniles were transported to an area hospital with moderate to severe injuries.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Hazardous Device Team responded to the location and determined an illegal “mortar” type firework had been lit and exploded, causing injuries to the juveniles. At this time, the location has been deemed safe and there is no additional public safety concern.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department wants to remind the public that illegal fireworks can cause serious injuries and all fireworks are illegal in the city of Moreno Valley.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

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Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Chad Craig

File # N/A

Details:

Riverside County Sheriff’s Department – Moreno Valley Station Reminds Drivers to Always Stop for School Buses During National School Bus Safety Week

Moreno Valley, Calif. – This National School Bus Safety Week (October 17–21), The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department – Moreno Valley Station supports efforts throughout the state to keep children and caregivers safe by reminding drivers on the dangers of passing a stopped school bus. Drivers are required to come to a complete stop when a school bus stop-arm is extended, and the red lights are flashing.

Held annually during the third week of October, National School Bus Safety Week is a way for parents, children, teachers, bus drivers, school administrators and law enforcement to promote traveling to and from school by bus as a safe transportation option. This year’s campaign focuses on preventing illegal school bus passing.

While riding the bus is the safest way for children to get to and from school, an alarming number of drivers illegally pass school buses who have their red lights activated. From 2011 to 2020 a total of 218 school-age children (18 and younger) died in school-bus-related crashes during that period, either riding on school buses, other cars, or on foot or bike, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

With few exceptions, California law requires drivers to stop in both directions when a school bus has flashing red lights on. Drivers must stop until the red lights are off, and children are on or off the bus and safely out of the road.

“It is so important that we remind drivers in our community that when red lights are flashing, there is no passing,” Deputy Richard Sayles said, “Children and their caretakers are relying on drivers to follow the law and keep them safe.”

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

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Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Chad Craig

File # N/A

Details:

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office – Moreno Valley Station Reminds Parents Are Key to Keeping Teens Safe Behind the Wheel

National Teen Driver Safety Week kicks off October 16

Moreno Valley, Calif. – In recognition of National Teen Driver Safety Week (October 16-22), the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department – Moreno Valley Station encourages teens and their parents to talk about the importance of following the rules of the road and driving responsibly.

Car crashes remain the leading cause of death for teens. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 2,378 teenagers died in car crashes in 2020 – a 14% increase from the prior year. Per mile driven, teen drivers are nearly four times as likely to be involved in a crash as drivers in all other age groups.

“Parents play a critical role in teen driver safety and in communicating important driving safety information,” Deputy Chris Wheeler said, “Teen drivers are still gaining experience behind the wheel and more likely to take risks and pick up bad habits. It is important for parents and caregivers to play an active role in talking to their teens about risky driving behaviors that can lead to deadly and tragic consequences.”

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department – Moreno Valley Station offers the following tips to parents and guardians for starting conversations about safe driving with teens:

• Provisional Driver’s License: Learn about California’s provisional licensing law, which places restrictions on passengers and driving at night during the first year they have a license.
• Lead by example: Have driving sessions with your teen. Tell, but also show your teen how to drive safely.
• Set ground rules: Be firm on rules such as no phone use, being distracted by friends, always following the speed limit, and always buckling up.
• Sober driving:Emphasize the importance of never driving under the influence or riding with someone who has been drinking.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

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Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Chad Craig

File # MV222900100

Details:

On October 17, 2022, at 10:16 AM, deputies from the Moreno Valley Station, located a silver 2008 BMW sedan driving recklessly south on Indian Street near Dracaea Avenue in the city of Moreno Valley. Further investigation revealed the BMW was wanted in connection with evading deputies several days earlier, but was never located. The BMW was seen again today driving erratically at a high rate of speed, running stops signs, failing to stop at red lights, and driving on the wrong side of the road. A Riverside County Sheriff’s Department helicopter followed the BMW from the air, as it drove dangerously throughout the city and was seen throwing numerous beer bottles out of the vehicle. Several motorcycle enforcement deputies attempted to stop the BMW, but it fled and evaded them at a high rate of speed. The motorcycle enforcement deputies pursued the BMW through city streets until it ran a red traffic light and collided into a white Ford Ranger at the intersection of Kitching Street and Cactus Avenue. The impact of the collision caused the Ford Ranger to overturn and collide with two additional vehicles. The driver of the BMW then exited the vehicle and fled the scene on foot. Deputies chased the driver and he was arrested as he ran through a nearby flood control channel. The passenger of the BMW remained inside the vehicle and was arrested without incident.

Paramedics responded to scene and provided medical treatment for all of the involved parties. The drivers of the involved vehicles sustained minor to moderate injuries and were transported to a local hospital for treatment. The driver and passenger of the BMW both sustained minor injuries. Officers from the California Highway Patrol responded to the crash scene and assumed the traffic collision portion of the investigation.

The driver of the BMW was identified as Gabriel Cabrera, a 25-year-old resident of Moreno Valley and was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol. Cabrera was arrested and booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center for recklessly evading a peace officer, hit and run with injury, committing a felony while out of custody on bail, assault with a deadly weapon, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, and resisting an executive officer. The passenger of the BMW was identified as Robert Valdez, a 21-year-old resident of Moreno Valley. Valdez was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call Deputy Greg Berry of the Moreno Valley Station at 951-486-8206 or Riverside County Sheriff’s Dispatch at 951-776-1099.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

Gabriel Cabrera
Robert Valdez

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Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Chad Craig

File # N/A

Details:

On October 19, 2022, from about 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., deputies from the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station Traffic Team, conducted a school enforcement operation at Badger Springs Middle School in the city of Moreno Valley. This was in response to numerous traffic complaints received about drivers not following traffic laws while dropping off and picking up students at schools throughout the city. The goal of this operation was to educate drivers and to ultimately provide a safe environment for children to get to school.

At the conclusion of the operation, 26 total citations were issued.

7 parking citations

8 equipment violations

10 moving violations

1 suspended driver license

2 vehicles were impounded

As a reminder, please slow down and obey the traffic laws when dropping off and picking up your students from school. Only drop off and pick up your students in designated areas.

If there are any questions about this operation, inquires can be made by contacting the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station Traffic Team at 951–486–6700.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

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Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Jerry Franchville

File # MV222920456

Details:

On October 20, 2022, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department was notified of a social media post with rumors of possible violence that might occur at Moreno Valley High School. The Moreno Valley Station, in cooperation with the Moreno Valley Unified School District, investigated the matter and determined there is no credible threat.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department takes threats of school violence very seriously and will be taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of the students and residents of Moreno Valley. We want to reassure the parents and students that their safety is our number one priority and any threat of violence will not be tolerated.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call Sgt. Jerry Franchville of the Moreno Valley Station at 951–486–6700.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

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Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Chad Craig

File # N/A

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department – Moreno Valley Station Reminds Drivers to Beware and Be Alert for Trick-or-Treaters on Halloween Night

Details:

Moreno Valley, Calif. – As Halloween creeps closer, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department – Moreno Valley Station encourages everyone on the road to be extra careful as more children are out walking the neighborhood haunting for treats.

“We want our community to have a fun night out on Halloween, but to also stay safe and make responsible choices,” Deputy Chris Wheeler said, “If your night involves drinking, make sure you plan for a sober ride home. Even one drink can impair judgement.”

Because of the parties, trick-or-treating, and other festivities, Halloween night can be especially dangerous on our nation’s roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, adults between the ages of 21 and 34 had the highest percentage (68%) of fatalities in drunk-driving crashes on Halloween night in 2020. During that same night, 11 pedestrians were killed in drunk-driving crashes.

Whether you are celebrating the spirit of Halloween or Día de los Muertos, Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station offers the following tips for families to be as safe as possible and share the road safely:

Drivers

• Slow down and watch out for more foot traffic in residential neighborhoods.
• Take extra time looking for trick-or-treaters at intersections and entering/exiting driveways.
• Never drive distracted or impaired.
• If you are heading to a local bar, restaurant or house party and plan to drink, bring the designated sober driver with you, use a ride-hailing service, or stay the night.

Parents and trick-or-treaters

• Make sure costumes fit to prevent trips and falls.
• Decorate costumes and bags/buckets with reflective tape.
• Have kids use flashlights or glow sticks to make it easier for drivers to see them.
• Walk on sidewalks, when available. Avoid darting into the street or crossing between parked cars.
• Stick to familiar, well-lit routes.
• Look both ways before crossing the street. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

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Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Joseph Fitzgerald

File # MC222990004

Details:

Calvin Wiekamp

On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at 8:00 AM, deputies from the Moreno Valley Station Problem Oriented Policing team served a search warrant at a residence in the 8700 block of Pigeon Pass Road in the county area of Riverside County serviced by the Moreno Valley Station. The investigation stemmed from information of a possible illegal marijuana cultivation operation on the property. A search warrant was written by deputies and approved by a judge. During the execution of the search warrant, deputies discovered an illegal marijuana cultivation operation and arrested Calvin Wiekamp, an 81-year-old resident of Moreno Valley.  Wiekamp was charged with marijuana cultivation and possession of marijuana for sales. The search warrant yielded the following items:

• 130 pounds of marijuana packaged for sales
• 190 pounds of processed marijuana
• 152 mature marijuana plants
• 4 firearms and ammunition

While at the location, Riverside County Animal Services also responded and evaluated several horses, cows, and bulls on the property for neglect.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

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Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Chad Craig

File # MV222960058

Details:

On Sunday, October 23, 2022, about 4:03 AM, deputies from the Moreno Valley Station responded to a report of a person laying in the roadway on Day Street, south of Eucalyptus Avenue, in the city of Moreno Valley. Deputies arrived at the scene to find an adult male laying in the roadway, unresponsive, and suffering from a traumatic injury to his head. Despite life-saving measures, the male was declared deceased. The male has been identified as Juan Franco, a 28-year-old resident of Moreno Valley. The Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station Traffic Reconstruction Team, along with investigators, responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. The preliminary investigation was unable to determine if he was struck by a vehicle or if foul play was involved.

The investigation is ongoing and we are seeking help from the public. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call Investigator Allen of the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station at 951-486-6700 or the Sheriff’s dispatch at 951-776-1099.

Persons who wish to report criminal activity anonymously, can call crime stoppers at 800-78-CRIME (800-782-7463) or 800-47-DRUGS (800-473-7847). You can also leave anonymous information on our Crime Tips Online Form or wetip.com.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

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